Finding a seat in the library during exam period was a struggle for many students. With limited study spaces during peak periods, students often wandered from floor to floor, only to find their preferred spot taken. Recognising this challenge, SMU Libraries launched the Occupancy Map, an innovative, data-driven solution that provides real-time occupancy on library space availability.

Launched in October 2024, the Occupancy Map utilises sensor-based People Counter technology to show crowd density across various library zones at any given time. The Occupancy Map is color-coded: green indicates available seats, yellow represents moderate occupancy, and red indicates that more than 80% of the seats are occupied.

 

 

 

Accessible via the SMU Libraries website, the map is mobile-friendly and designed for quick and intuitive access, helping students to plan ahead before coming to the libraries.

Why It Matters to Students

Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. In our Occupancy Map usability testing, one student shared:

Super useful feature! I can see myself referring to it before entering the library on campus, checking which library has better vacancy for me.

Another student added:

Yes, as it allows me to know which area of the library is less crowded.

Comments like these show that the map truly makes a difference to students.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Occupancy Map page has become the third most visited SMU Libraries webpage, following behind the SMU Libraries Homepage and Library Opening Hours page.

 

 

Project Timeline and Implementation

The project was initiated in April 2023 and officially launched in October 2024. Key milestones included the project proposal, vendor outsourcing for sensor installation and replacement, network setup, system access configuration, testing and debugging, web design, and validation of the occupancy map’s accuracy. Key resource allocations covered wiring, networking, and sensor installation.

Initially, the project goal was to migrate 16 legacy people counter sensors to the cloud, a task that seemed relatively straightforward. However, during the planning stage, the team raised a crucial question: could we provide students with greater value by measuring real-time occupancy in each zone? The team ultimately agreed to expand the project scope to include zone-specific occupancy monitoring, enhancing its usefulness and relevance.

The system leveraged people counter sensors, with a total of 40 sensors deployed across both Li Ka Shing and Kwa Geok Choo Law libraries. People counter sensors are low resolution cameras that detect individuals as they cross a designated virtual line. Using machine learning, these crossings are converted into a digital count. The digital count data is securely stored on the vendor’s server. SMU Libraries uses an API to connect to the vendor’s system, allowing real-time display for our Occupancy Map.

The placement of sensors was carefully planned according to the floor layouts of each library, focusing on areas where seats were located, rather than walkways, to ensure the system tracked seat availability rather than general human movement.

During project implementation, collaboration extended beyond the SMU Libraries team. We worked closely with colleagues from the Network, Infrastructure, and Web Design teams, all of whom played important roles in ensuring a smooth and successful rollout of the new system.

Observed Students Behaviour

After the system rollout, we observed that students had preferred areas within the library. During peak periods, these zones marked as green on the map were quickly filled. This behavioural insight is valuable for future space planning and understanding student preferences.

Overall Experience, Reflections, and Takeaways

We faced numerous technical challenges, from deciding between legacy counters to newer occupancy counts and coordinating closely with vendors to ensure accurate data display. Designing a visual occupancy map without a reference model was especially tricky; we had to consider what would work best for our users from scratch.

Fortunately, I had a strong and dedicated team supporting this project. Through effective communication, well-defined roles, and close coordination across all team members, we were able to resolve challenges and maintain momentum throughout each project phase. As a result, the project was successfully executed, and it met its key objectives and scope.

This project taught me that meaningful innovation requires more than just good technology; it demands good people, thoughtful design, and strong leadership. From networking to web design, sensor placements to data being displayed online, every part of the process required collaboration.

What I am most proud of is that the Occupancy Map is not just a backend tool. It directly benefits our students. When I see students use the map which enables them to study more efficiently by saving much time in finding seats, it reinforces my belief that data does more than just provide insights; it can empower.

Looking Ahead

The Occupancy Map model represents a forward-thinking approach to service delivery in libraries. By integrating smart technology, SMU Libraries has created a user-focused solution that enhances engagement, efficiency, and overall learning outcomes.

Currently, I am working on the development of a People Counter Dashboard, focusing on both counter and occupancy data analytics. This dashboard will provide users with insights to better understand space utilisation and support informed space management decisions in the future.

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Contributed by:
William Koh
Manager (User Services & Experience)
SMU Libraries